By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort to provide an awareness-raising crusade ahead of the June 24th General Elections, Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has engaged with youths as well as other stakeholders to be resilient and frowned against violence on Friday 19th May 2023 at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum in Freetown.
Madam Patricia Narsu Ndanema, Commissioner and Chairperson of Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone said the pivotal message they would like to share especially to the youths’ gears towards upholding the existing peace Sierra Leone has been known for the past years as well serve as peace ambassadors even before and after elections. She continued that the mandate of the Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone is to protect the rights of every Sierra Leonean devoid of tribal, regional and political lines. “We are here to embark on awareness raising campaign in order to live up to the expectations of the Commission mainly when it comes to respecting the rights of everyone and avoid the issue of provocation as well as political violence,” Commissioner Ndanema said.
She mentioned that one of the root causes of the eleven years war in Sierra Leone was political violence among others; urging that in order for Sierra Leoneans particularly the youths to continue to enjoy peace and stability in the country, they should avert the issues around provocation, intimidation and political unrest.
Patricia Narsu Ndanema felt impressed about the outcome of the entire session and the turnout of the youths mostly when they diluted the Commission’s Preparedness Strategy which encompasses awareness raising, monitoring, complaint handling, report writing and training. She emphasized that youth engagement views as one of the critical pillars to enforce mainly during and after elections.
“It is an opportunity to pass on the information of no violence to the youths across different communities, ” Madam Ndanema said.
She revealed that the Commission has had several communication strategies to the provinces as a way of educating and informing people about no violence as part of their awareness-raising campaign through different mediums. She implored the youths to uphold democratic principles and remain law-abiding.
Tejan Kellah, President of the National Youth Council Sierra Leone thanked the Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone for staging such an educative session that deals with raising awareness on no violence before and after June 24th General Elections. He furthered that the engagement is timely at such a particular moment; adding that the campaign had to be a continuous process as long as they want to see a better Sierra Leone.
He assured that the youths living in the ghettos, car-wash centres and other quarters would be peace ambassadors at the end of the program. President Kellah stated that together with Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone, they would deem it fit to cascade the same information to the district headquarters towns and other places in the provinces in order to be on the same footing.
Sylvester Koroma, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Regional Commander in Freetown said over time Sierra Leone Police had stood firmly to provide election security for the smooth steering of the process. He said they would continue to mount more security checkpoints even before and after elections. “Everybody is entitled to his or her own rights and these rights have limitations as of, when necessary,” AIG Koroma affirmed.
He encouraged the youths to continue to be good citizens and not to engage in any riotous conduct for the law would as well take its course when anyone falls victim. AIG Koroma said the youths and the police should be on an equal platter when it comes to supporting and delivery of information.
Mohamed Bangura, Representative of the Sierra Leone Commercial Motorbike Riders Union said as a Sierra Leonean, his cardinal responsibility is to enforce peace and encourage others to frown again violence. He mentioned that the bike riders had set an exemplary record for being law-abiding and peaceful individuals in the country. Bangura stated that they would continue to work in that direction for a prosperous Sierra Leone.
